Secretaire
- Place of origin:
London, England (probably, made)
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Baldock, Edward Holmes, born 1777 - died 1845 (probably, maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
Oak and chestnut, veneered with tulipwood, marquetry of kingwood and tulipwood; gilt bronze mounts and marble top
- Credit Line:
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
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This secrétaire and its pair look as if they might have been made in Paris in the period 1755–1765. The lyre-shaped body was fashionable in France at the time for such small, delicate writing desks. The decoration of flowers in veneers cut across the grain of small branches (‘end-grain’ or ‘bois de bout’ marquetry) was also used at the time by high-quality cabinetmakers.
However, some of the details of construction, particularly of the drawers, suggest that the secrétaire was made in London in the early 19th century. The pair to this piece is branded with the initials ‘EHB’ for the 19th-century dealer and cabinetmaker Edward Holmes Baldock. He ran a profitable business in London, selling antique furniture, glass and china and repairing and copying pieces of furniture made in Paris in the 18th century. This secrétaire was probably made between 1830 and 1845.
Physical description
Pedestal secrétaire (one of a pair) of oak and chestnut or ash, veneered with tulipwood and bois-de-bout (end grain) marquetry of kingwood and tulipwood. Gilt bronze mounts, oncolite limestone top. The top drawer has a shaped front and a gilt bronze knob in the form of a floral spray. Below the drawer is a fall-front with a green leather writing surface on the inside and two inner drawers with an open compartment above. The drawer-fronts are inlaid with a geometric pattern. Below the fall-front is a shaped door which opens to reveal a cupboard with a single shelf.
The fall-front and cupboard door have marquetry of flowers and tendrils, the wood used for the flowers and leaves cut across the grain to show the growth rings. The flowers are set against four panels of veneer, in which the grain of the wood is arranged to form a diamond shape. The fall-front and cupboard door have edging strips of gilt bronze, and the corner mounts are in the form of acanthus leaves and husks.
Place of Origin
London, England (probably, made)
Date
1830-1845 (made)
Artist/maker
Baldock, Edward Holmes, born 1777 - died 1845 (probably, maker)
Materials and Techniques
Oak and chestnut, veneered with tulipwood, marquetry of kingwood and tulipwood; gilt bronze mounts and marble top
Marks and inscriptions
368 x
368 x
EHB
Dimensions
Weight: 33 kg, Height: 1200 mm, Width: 650 mm overall at back feet, Depth: 310 mm overall at back feet
[Marble top] weight: 1 kg
Object history note
In the collection of John Jones prior to 1882
Descriptive line
Sécrétaire of oak and pine, veneered in tulipwood and kingwood, one of a pair; stamped EHB for Edward Holmes Baldock.
Materials
Leather; Brass; Oak; Gilt bronze; Tulipwood; Kingwood; Purplewood; Padouk; Chestnut; Oncolite limestone
Techniques
Gilding; Casting; Chasing; Veneering; Cabinet making; Marquetry
Subjects depicted
Flowers
Categories
Furniture
Collection code
FWK
